Investigation Discovery’s seven-part docuseries Two Shallow Graves (2022) remains one of the most disturbing true-crime offerings in recent years, diving deep into the horrific crimes of the so-called “Speed Freak Killers,” Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog, who terrorised California in the 1980s and 1990s.
Directed by Nick McKinney and executive produced by Elizabeth Fischer, the series chronicles the duo’s methamphetamine-fueled killing spree that claimed at least 19 lives — though the true number may be higher. Shermantine and Herzog, childhood friends from rural Linden, California, abducted, raped, and murdered victims, burying many in shallow graves across remote San Joaquin County locations.
The case gained national notoriety in 2012 when Shermantine, on death row, began directing authorities to burial sites in exchange for rewards. The docuseries meticulously reconstructs the investigation using never-before-seen evidence, police interviews, survivor testimony, and letters from Shermantine himself. Herzog’s 2012 suicide after parole added another layer of tragedy and controversy.
What sets Two Shallow Graves apart is its unflinching focus on the victims and their families. Episodes highlight Cyndi Vanderheiden, Chevelle “Chevy” Wheeler, and others whose disappearances haunted communities for decades. Heart-wrenching interviews with parents, siblings, and friends underscore the human cost, while forensic details — shallow graves, scattered remains — create a chilling atmosphere.
The series also examines law enforcement’s initial failures, including missed opportunities to connect the crimes earlier, and the controversial plea deal that allowed Herzog to walk free in 2010 before his suicide. Shermantine’s ongoing claims of additional victims keep the case alive, with some graves still undiscovered.
Critics praised the series for its respectful yet unflinching approach. Rotten Tomatoes holds a 100% score, with viewers calling it “devastating but essential.” The Hollywood Reporter noted its “masterful balance of horror and humanity,” while fans on social media described it as “the darkest true-crime series I’ve ever seen — impossible to forget.”
Two Shallow Graves avoids sensationalism, letting survivor stories and family grief drive the narrative. It’s a sobering reminder of evil hiding in plain sight and the enduring pain of unsolved questions.
Now streaming on Investigation Discovery and Max, this haunting docuseries is essential viewing for true-crime enthusiasts — but be warned: it’s not for the faint-hearted. The shallow graves may have been found, but the wounds they left remain deep.